A bizarre crime at Blenheim Palace has ended with the conviction of a hapless burglar who was involved in the dramatic theft of a £4.8 million golden toilet.
The infamous toilet, an artwork titled America by satirist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen during a chaotic raid on September 14, 2019.
The burglary lasted only five minutes, but the thieves’ actions were captured in stunning detail by CCTV, leading to their eventual convictions.
The Conviction of Michael Jones and His Role in the Theft
Michael Jones, 39, was found guilty for his involvement in the audacious heist after police noticed him performing suspicious reconnaissance just hours before the crime.
The jury’s unanimous verdict followed an eight-and-a-half-hour deliberation.
Jones is facing a lengthy prison sentence alongside his accomplice, career criminal James Sheen, 40, who had already pleaded guilty to the burglary.
The two men were part of a gang of five that carried out the heist, but two other suspects, Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk, deny charges related to the conspiracy and laundering of the stolen property.
The Drama of the Golden Toilet Theft
On the early morning of September 14, 2019, just two days after the toilet was put on display at Blenheim Palace, a gang of thieves arrived at the historic site in two stolen cars.
They violently smashed their way through a window with sledgehammers and crowbars, before swiftly making off with the golden toilet.
CCTV footage showed the toilet being rolled out and loaded into the boot of one of the getaway cars, which visibly sagged under its immense weight. The cars then sped away, leaving behind a trail of chaos.
Jones’ Amateurish Role in the Heist
Jones, who worked for Sheen’s construction company, was seen taking photos of the palace and the golden toilet in the days leading up to the burglary.
In fact, he was caught on camera scouting the location twice, even photographing the window that the gang would later smash through and the toilet itself.
During his court testimony, Jones described using the golden toilet before the theft, calling the experience “splendid.”
Despite his clumsy reconnaissance efforts, he was instrumental in helping to facilitate the theft.
The Ongoing Legal Proceedings for the Other Defendants
While Jones and Sheen are facing the consequences of their actions, the other two defendants, Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk, are still awaiting their verdicts.
They stand accused of conspiracy to transfer criminal property, specifically in relation to laundering the stolen gold.
Judge Ian Pringle KC informed the jury that a majority verdict would be accepted for these two defendants, as they have not yet reached a unanimous decision.
The Fate of the Golden Toilet
The golden toilet, once proudly displayed at Blenheim Palace, remains a symbol of the audacity and absurdity of the crime.
The stolen artwork had been plumbed into the palace for visitors to use during a special exhibition, but now it remains the subject of an ongoing investigation.
The drama surrounding its theft has captured the public’s imagination, and authorities continue to search for the missing toilet.
The case continues to unfold, and more updates are expected as legal proceedings move forward.